Size-dependent thermal behaviors of axially traveling nanobeams based on a strain gradient theory

This work is concerned with transverse vibrations of axially traveling nanobeams including strain gradient and thermal effects. The strain gradient elasticity theory and the temperature field are taken into consideration. A new higher-order differential equation of motion is derived from the variational principle and the corresponding higher-order non-classical boundary conditions including simple, clamped, cantilevered supports and their higher-order "offspring" are established. Effects of strain gradient nanoscale parameter, temperature change, shape parameter and axial traction on the natural frequencies are presented and discussed through some numerical examples. It is concluded that the factors mentioned above significantly influence the dynamic behaviors of an axially traveling nanobeam. In particular, the strain gradient effect tends to induce higher vibration frequencies as compared to an axially traveling macro beams based on the classical vibration theory without strain gradient effect.